The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-05-20

from his restless horse, and had seen
him lying us bloodless as Parton marble.
They had stood around him that night
while he was being laid beneath the
pitying oaks. The conflict again ragged
around his grave i'll the morning and his
spirit roved the battlefield.
Col Wilkin was the idol of all who
served him nj Guntown. The army of
Sturgis was crushed in detail and with
out having an opportunity, to use its
weapons. There was no rcdccming fca-
ture in the defeat at Guntown, save midi
yidual heroism. On account of his
bravery at Guntown, Col. Wilkin be-
came more heroic in defeat than in
victory. When our army was crowding
the streets of Ripley and was being deci-
mated on every quarter, Col. Wilkin
forced his warhorsc toward the coming |
torrent and struck it back again and |
again with his weary men. Had Wilkin |
commenced and ended life on the field |
ut Ripley, he did enough then To entitle |
him To our everlasting gratitude.
He was diminutive in statute, but in |
war his soul swelled till he had the
strength of Achilles.
He was equally marked in civil and
social life rs in military life. His social
virtues need no hcrald-they radiatcd
their warmth wherever he went. He
was IN articulatc man and not given To
INDIGESTION or ambiguous speech. With
his death, every circle III which he NOV
Ell lost segment, every officer lost Il
companion on whom he was proud to
lean, every soldier lost Il friend. The
soldiers murmurcd ut his fate, but il was
the murmur of love.
Judge Wcscott Wilkin, before the war
was over, sought his brother in the
grave, gathered his ashes and brought
them back to the ancestral urn. He
shares with us the keeping of his MEM
| DRY.
Judge Severance finished his address
| by requesting Gen. Baker To tell Judge
Wilkin that this Post would never forget
| its sacred trust, and that one of the best
| of human traits is undying devotion to n
brother who is dead.
At the conclusion of the Judges
remarks, Mrs. Lindslcy gave another
song entitled, ''The Grave of Bonaparte."
Commander Mead then stated that
Judge X. Il. Nelson, of st. Paul, had
hoped 10 be present, but found it i'm
possible at the last moment To come
He had, however, addressed Il letter,
which Judge Mead read as follows:
| ST. PAUL, May Ii, 1887.
COM'D'R q. W. MEAD, Mankato.
/ Dear Sir: Your kind invitation in behalf of
Alexander Wilkin g. \. L. Post tn attend at
| the presentation of portrait of the late Col.
| Wilkin is received. | have delayed until now
| acknowledging il with the hope that | would
be with you, but find IL impossible. Col. wilkin
was my early friend and partner In the prac-
tice of law in the Territory of Minnesota. He
served his country as II brave and distinguish
ed officer in the Mexican war, ana thirty-eight
years ago, as peace once more rcigned, his at
| Iention was directed To the recently organized
| Territory OF Minnesota and made II his home
| To aid in bringing brilliant star To the galaxy
Sa S YATES M9en Ihs nny nnh md n treason
stalkcd abroad, he was among The first at the
front 10 protect that banner under which he
had so faithfully served and to preserve ii in
| tact. He fell early, when the Union cause was
almost settling into darkness, but he never fal-
| tered in his belief OF ultimate success .
| He fought for the maintainancc of American
constitutional liberty and the preservation OF
that Union cemented by the blood of its fOuII-
ders, and had hc lived 10 see the close of the
war, with maiace toward none, but charity To
ALL he would have devoted his energies 10
heal the gaping wounds and To restore the uni
Fl ~ and harmony of his country. An all-wisc
Providence ruled otherwise. hc fell in the
Held OF battle among his soldiers, and while
our hearts may gricVc that he could not have
lived To see the Union restored, we know he
sealed his allegiance 10y his blood. A tried
soldier. true patriot, his memory is linked
forever with that great contest for liberty and
unity in which the lives of SO many brave and
on Wednesday night will bc a just acknow ledg-
ment OF the debt we owe the loyal dead
Very respectfully yours
4 X, X. NELSON.
Mr.. LOrin Cray, of Lake Crystal. was
called upon for II few remarks, and re-
ferred TO the late Col. Wilkin as a very
strict disciplinarian. He stated that at
first his soldiers did not like him on this
account, but that ut Guntown they learn
ed that he was Il man To he loved and
respected and appreciated as IA COM
manding officer. They then learned
that he had II warm heart for the private
soldier.
Col. Thomas responded to a call and
said that the character given Col. Wilkin
exactly fitted Gen. Phil. Kearney.
kearney was seldom heard from except
when there was to be fight, when
he would ride along the line inspiring
the men. 1t made heroes of men who
never thought that they could be heroes.
He had heard ii stated that Kearney
never drew dollars pay from the U.
$. He was soldier because he liked to
be Il soldier.
The Post Glce Club then sang in good
style that inspiring song, Marching
Thro' Georgia." after which Captain
| kcysOr said that refreshments has been
provided, but owing 10 the limited ac-
cOmmodatiOns Of the dining room, it
would take some time TO serve all pres
ent and asked for patience on the part
of the friends present. Those who found
their way TO the dining room were
served with delicious ice Cream and
cake, which gave pleasant end to an
evening of unalloycd interest.
NOTES.
After the conclusion of the exercises
in connection with the presentation, Il
meeting of the Post was held and four
old soldiers from the vicinity of Vernon
Centre, were mustered in. We under
stand that about Il dozen others from
that vicinity have been elected and will
be mustered in at any time they report.
Alexander Wilkin Post has now Il
membership of lG5, and additions are
being made weekly To this number. In
point of membership, the Mankato Post
ranks third in the State and in character
of its work and value is not eXcclled by
any.
The attendance of ladies was very
large.
General Bakcr and Judge Severance
received many compliments upon the
eloquence and appropriateness of their
remarks.
The portrait oC Col. WilIlin is large
and finely executed. In its beautiful
frame it will make an appropriate addI-
ton To the walls of the Post room.